Bloomsbury has launched its marketing and publicity campaign for Zakiya Dalila Harris' publishing-set novel, The Other Black Girl, with a proof going exclusively to industry professionals.

The satirical debut, which explores race and authenticity in the workplace, and whose main character is an editorial assistant, was acquired in a nine-way auction earlier this year, and will be published in the UK on 1st June 2021.

Bloomsbury is sending out a first run of proofs exclusively to industry professionals, with a second proof going out to the media, authors and bloggers. The first proof has been unveiled on Twitter, sporting a cover reading "Leave Publishing Now". A social media campaign, presented across Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, supported by Waterstones, has generated 42,000 impressions and over 8,000 video views.

Alexis Kirschbaum, associate publisher, said: "Zakiya has written a hilarious, awkward, unsettling novel for our times that is both thought-provoking and commercially ambitious. I hope it starts an important conversation around race and class in our industry—and entertains readers in the process."

Harris added: "My phone has been on fire ever since Bloomsbury revealed the incredible cover of The Other Black Girl. It has been such a joy watching the widespread enthusiasm for my novel ripple across social media—from those who work in the book industry, but also those who are simply intrigued by the premise."

• trade-notes
• Bloomsbury